- Cook Labor Government invests $10 million for final planning, design, and approvals for delivery of new METRONET Karnup Station, with works to start by 2028
- Pipeline of residential developments set to drive demand for enhanced public transport connectivity
- $156 million project part of the Cook Labor Government's commitment to deliver for the southern suburbs and put WA first
The Cook Labor Government is committing $10 million immediately to progress the final planning, design, and approvals for the new METRONET station in Karnup, with works to start in 2028.
The WA Labor Government had previously progressed a project definition plan for the station but failed to secure funding from the Federal Liberal Government, which instead committed to funding the Lakelands Station, contributing 80 per cent of the costs.
Since the opening of Lakelands in 2023, work has continued to finalise the planning and sale of the Karnup station housing precinct, to help support the new station.
The $10 million investment, over 2026-27 and 2027-28, will enable the Public Transport Authority to progress final planning, designs, and approvals for the new station.
Karnup Station will be located at the corner of Paganoni Road and Mandurah Rd.
The new station will be serviced by a bus interchange with at least eight stands, a dedicated pick up and drop off area, and more than 400 parking bays.
Works for the new station are expected to commence in 2028.
Once the station is complete, Karnup residents will be able to travel anywhere on the network for as little as $2.80 with the Cook Labor Government's Go Anywhere Fare, with the journey to Perth to take about 46 minutes.
The total cost of the station is expected to be $156 million, with the government prioritising land sales in the region to fund 50 per cent of the project and will seek joint funding from the Commonwealth as part of future Budget processes.
Planning for the Karnup train station housing precinct has been finalised, with the 39-hectare precinct expected to deliver more than 800 homes next to the new station.
The Cook Labor Government plans to sell this precinct in the last quarter of this year, with the proceeds helping to fund the new station.
In addition, DevelopmentWA has recently partnered with Mirvac to deliver the first 1500 homes as part of its joint venture to deliver 4000 homes across a 484-hectare master-planned community in Karnup.
These two developments form part of a wider Karnup District Structure Plan, which is expected to be submitted to government later this year and deliver up to 20,000 homes.
Private investment in new housing is also under way in the area, with Golden Group releasing 1,235 housing lots on Redwood Avenue off Mandurah Road.
Karnup has long been identified as a priority growth corridor due to its close proximity to the future defence precinct at Henderson and the Westport container terminal in Kwinana, projects that are expected to generate thousands of local jobs.
Patronage is at record highs across the network, with the Cook Labor Government's Go Anywhere Fare encouraging more people than ever to catch public transport.
At the adjacent two stations of Warnbro and Lakelands, there has been a 24 per cent increase in boardings over the last three years, equating to an extra 1000 passengers per day.
As stated by Premier Roger Cook:
"Only my WA Labor Government is putting WA first and delivering for our southern suburbs.
"In times like these, WA needs steady and experienced leadership. We are using the nation's strongest economy to deliver for WA families in tough global times.
"Our record on public transport is strong. WA Labor built the Mandurah Line and we have built 23 METRONET stations since 2017.
"My government is the only one who can deliver the Karnup Station - and it has always been part of our long-term METRONET plan."
As stated by Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:
"Karnup Station has always been part of our planning along the METRONET Mandurah Line.
"With new housing developments in the process of being finalised, we will continue to see local public transport patronage grow and so the time is right to deliver Karnup Station.
"We delivered the Lakelands Station in 2023, after the Commonwealth Liberal Government chose to fund that project over Karnup.
"This investment by the Cook Labor Government will help us progress development of the new station, to ensure it meets the needs of the Karnup community now and into the future.
"We're proud to have made public transport more accessible and affordable than ever before, with Karnup residents set to be able to travel to Perth on a one zone fare once the station is complete."
